Is it 2014 or 1774? Because someone needs to explain why Buckingham Palace is trying to tell American journalists how to dress when Prince William and Duchess Kate make their stateside visit on December 7 and 8. According to Politico, the Senate Periodical Press Gallery sent out an email telling members of the press that if they think they’re going to be in the presence of the Royal couple, they’d better come correct in the clothing department.

The email outlines all the dos and don’ts of dressing if you’re meeting the Royals. “Journalists wishing to cover Royal engagements, whether in the United Kingdom or abroad, should comply with the dress code on formal occasions out of respect for the guests of The Queen, or any other member of the Royal Family,” the organization wrote. “Smart attire for men includes the wearing of a jacket and tie, and for women a trouser or skirt suit. Those wearing jeans or trainers will not be admitted and casually dressed members of the media will be turned away. This also applies to technicians.”

As we know, the British Royal family has a rich and storied history of coming into other people’s countries and telling them how to live, so it comes as little surprise that they would try to impose a dress code on a group over which they have no power. It’s just the way they’ve done things for centuries, and old habits die hard. In the spirit of our forefathers, American journalists need to rise up and say no to such sartorial tyranny! Would George Washington have bended under the king’s demands for him to wear a longer coat in the presence of English ambassadors? Hell no! Would John Adams have removed his three-cornered hat on the whim of the king? Never!

Also, hello, Royals, you’re coming to America, land of comfortable sweatpants and sneakers (or as they call them across the pond, trainers). When you go to a foreign country, you have to respect the customs of the people. And in America, those customs include holey New Balance sneakers and fleeces from The North Face we’ve had since college.

Unless Queen Elizabeth II wants to provide members of the press with Victoria Beckham skirt suits and Burberry separates, the journalists should be able to wear whatever they darn well please. #Donttreadonthesedungarees

Jihan Forbes spends her days tirelessly writing and her work has been featured on Fashionista, XOJane, The Cut and more. She lives in Harlem, but will always be a Bronx girl. Send her an e-mail sometime.